Cyclones have championship-game experience on roster
Photo: Zhenru Zhang/Iowa State Daily
David Kurbatsky attempts to pass the puck to another player during the game against Illinois as part of the Central States Collegiate Hockey League on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Ames/ISU Ice Arena. The Cyclones won 4-3.
February 25, 2013
The Cyclones haven’t been to the national championship game since 2010, and this year’s seniors are the last players on the team to have been there.
The No. 12 ISU hockey team is traveling to Bensenville, Ill., for the ACHA Division I National Tournament on March 1-6 with five players who have been in the championship game on their roster. The Cyclones have a first-round bye and will play No. 5 Robert Morris in the first round.
In 2010, the Cyclones cruised into the national championship game after a 7-6 win against former CSCHL opponent Kent State, a 3-2 win against Illinois and a 4-2 win against Ohio. The Cyclones eventually lost to Lindenwood in the championship game 2-0.
ISU forward David Kurbatsky had 41 points that season, his freshman year, but did not collect any points at the national tournament. He is one of five Cyclones who had national championship game experience right away in their first year.
“Having that be my first year gives you that experience that every coach wants on their team,” Kurbatsky said. “It gives you the experience of knowing what it takes to get all the way to the national tournament.
“It’s not easy. It’s a tough four games because everyone wants to win. So, it teaches you what you have to do and how consistent you have to play to get there.”
In 2011, the Cyclones missed the national tournament for the first time in their history, and last season, they received a first-round bye as the No. 8 seed only to be blown out 8-2 by No. 9 seed Oklahoma.
ISU coach Al Murdoch said he doesn’t think they’ve played quite to their potential in the past three seasons despite playing well. He doesn’t think, however, that that is the only thing that has kept them from the national championship game.
“The other big thing is: The other teams across the country have really stepped it up on recruiting and improving the quality of their play,” Murdoch said. “So, whereas it comes down to the best two teams in the championship, now we got the best 16 teams in the Sweet 16. Any one of those 16 can beat anybody else.”
